3 people who could become the next Maple Leafs GM
The Toronto Maple Leafs' dreadful season came to an end Saturday with a loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Things only got worse Sunday as GM Dave Nonis, interim head coach Peter Horachek and many members of the team's coaching and scouting staff were fired.
The organization is in the midst of a complete overhaul from the roster to the front office, which begs the question of who will be the next GM of the Maple Leafs?
TSN's Bob McKenzie reports that under no circumstances will president Brendan Shanahan give himself the position, so here are three options to ponder.
Related: Maple Leafs fire Nonis, Horachek in massive organizational shakeup
Rob Blake
The Hall of Famer is currently an assistant GM with the Los Angeles Kings and a former right-hand man of his close friend Shanahan when he was in charge of the NHL Department of Player Safety.
He also comes with additional management experience having helped Hockey Canada in the world championships.
Blake is supposedly happy with his current role with the Kings, but potential big-market money and notoriety - if things go well - plus the constant nagging of Shanahan could coerce him into taking the position despite his cushy job in California.
Mike Babcock
With his contract expiring at the end of the playoffs, Babcock's name is being floated around numerous franchises in the league.
One of the most successful coaches of modern day hockey will be able to do as he pleases when his deal expires, and he'll most likely continue to cement his legacy with the Detroit Red Wings.
The Maple Leafs may be able to convince him otherwise, though, with a promise of not only a head-coaching position, but a front-office role that allows him the power to make his own moves.
Add in a hefty financial contract and he could be pulled away from a Red Wings franchise that would certainly miss his services.
Kyle Dubas
The 28-year-old assistant GM of the Maple Leafs could be a long shot for the position.
It doesn't make a lot of sense to pull away the stats wizard from doing what he does best, attempting to turn the franchise into a more analytics-based organization. But if that's the new direction the Maple Leafs are heading in, then why not have Dubas at the helm?
His success with the OHL's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds speaks for itself and he could lead the charge as the Leafs embark on a new era.